Fierce battle continues in Deir Ezzor between the so-called âIslamic Stateâ (IS, formerly ISIL/ISIS) and Syrian Arab Army (SAA) as jihadists aggressively try to break through government forces defense lines.

Regardless of several gains made by the designated terror group in the first night of powerful assault, this offensive has already cost IS dozens of killed and injured militants and lots of destroyed vehicles.

Thus, in the last 24 hours alone, at least 50 IS militants were killed, with about 10 others wounded, as Al-Masdar reported earlier.

In addition to that, jihadists have lost one of their top field commanders in the non-stop clashes against Syrian Army.

A Belgian national, Abu Omar Al-Belgiki, also known as âAbu Talha Al-Askariâ was one of the most influent IS military figures in Syria while also being responsible for planning terrorist attacks in Europe and training terrorist elements to conduct those attacks.

Previously a commander in so-called âAl-Kheir Armyâ (one of the IS subunits), later he would become responsible for all operations of âAl-Khilafah Divisionâ.